Optimization of cutting parameters in manufacturing of polymeric materials for flexible two-phase thermal management systems

This research study with an extensive literature review represents a comprehensive multi-criteria analysis for optimizing the cutting parameters in the manufacturing of flexible two-phase passive thermal management systems (FTP-TMS) using thermoplastic materials. Recognizing the critical role of thermoplastics in FTP-TMS due to their inherent flexibility and lightweight properties, this research focuses on the precision cutting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride using CO2 laser technology. The study is structured into three distinct phases. Initially, an experimental setup was conducted to cut 2 mm thick thermoplastic materials with varying power and cutting speed parameters. Subsequently, the SWARA method was employed to weight the criteria, followed by the application of seven different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for optimization. The final phase involved a detailed analysis of the outputs, including ranking, correlation, and sensitivity analyses. The findings indicate that cutting polypropylene with a 90 W power setting and a speed of 15 mm s-1 yields the most optimal results. This study fills a significant gap in the existing literature by providing a dedicated analysis for thermoplastics in FTP-TMS manufacturing. The insights gained are pivotal for standardizing manufacturing practices and enhancing the design and fabrication of flexible thermal management solutions, offering substantial benefits to sectors like electronics, aerospace, and automotive industries.